Africa – Page 15
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Strategy & Change
Ethiopia: Kenyan president gets behind Safaricom entry
President Kenyatta urges Ethiopia to open up m-money market. Safaricom reveals planned ownership structure of future Opco, with Vodafone set to play a very limited role.
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PremiumRejigged tie-up could find Vodafone Egypt a home
Vodafone secures route to in-Group transfer of Egypt stake in quid pro quo deal with local partner. Kenya-esque Vodacom hand-off of Egyptian interest one possibility.
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Products & ServicesSafaricom unveils in-house VOD platform
Kenyan operator launches Baze to support local creative industry. “One-shop entertainment platform” seen as successor to recently dissolved Songa by Safaricom.
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PremiumElsewhere in Africa: Vodacom pairs with Microsoft
Vodacom pairs with Microsoft for Mozambique SMEs; Safaricom adds digital menus to M-PESA ecosystem.
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PremiumQ4 FY20–21: Vodacom turns to M&A to turbo-charge change
Fibre expansion back on as Vodacom steps up diversification plans. Operator negotiating potential strategic partnerships across infrastructure assets, as it develops own take on Vodafone’s leaner and lighter TechCo vision. South African group-within-a-group being offered greater freedom by Vodafone than increasingly tightly-controlled businesses in Europe. One question, as it ...
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Group names Network Operations lead
Group Networks leadership filled out with Clavero taking operations remit from Europe-bound Yildizi; El Sayed picks up European engineering lead. Top-level changes in EU Cluster OpCos. M-PESA Africa leadership firmed up.
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PremiumVodafone Q4 FY20–21 headlines: footing regained and Group ready for climb
Top execs keen to portray Vodafone as ready for bounce-back. Top-line recovery remains Africa- and Germany-centric. Signs domination of efficiency drives may have run course and revenue base needs a boost.
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Network & InfrastructureEthiopia tender win: gov talks up Vodafone’s ‘quality’
Safaricom-led consortium emerges as sole new entrant in damp squib of an auction. Group’s rare move into new market muddied by competitors’ apparent wariness regarding risks in Ethiopia. Only two bidders emerge for new licences. Fears of incumbent’s political heft added to suitors’ macro uncertainties. Plan for an Ethio ...
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PremiumSafaricom upgrades order management software
Longstanding partner Celfocus said it has implemented a ‘master orchestrator’ to improve order processing.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom’s data centre refresh
Safaricom plans data centre refresh; Millicom backs out of Tanzania.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Chief Network Officers named across European footprint
Following the lead of Vodafone UK Networks Director Andrea Donà, CNOs were named at a handful of European OpCos, including some external appointments. Former Vi executive Narayan takes Lyca Group CEO job and sets lofty ambitions for MVNO strategy turnaround.
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Products & ServicesVodacom eyeing M-PESA’s biggest money transfer yet?
M-commerce froth suggests possible eight-figure valuation for M-PESA. High-profile friends could add further appeal. Joosub showing signs of monetisation interest, possible temptation.
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Strategy & ChangeSafaricom: deadline for Ethiopia entry bid pushed back (again)
ECA grants Kenyan operator and other interested parties more time to consider ins and outs of Ethiopian expansion. Deadline revised for the second time in as many months. Laws blocking Safaricom from operating fintech service in country remain in place (for now).
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Products & ServicesJoosub hints at pan-African ambitions for Vodacom’s Super App
Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub says Alipay-backed “Super App” could “transform the continent”. Super App’s enterprise offering will build on current VodaTrade and VodaPay functionality, with Vodacom targeting SMEs in its expanding financial services goals.
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Network & InfrastructureSafaricom partners Huawei, Nokia for 5G trials
Kenyan operator becomes the first East African telco to launch commercial 5G services in a limited rollout. Huawei and Nokia named technology partners, with local communications authority giving full backing to the China vendor’s security credentials.
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Suppliers & SCMEricsson joins team on Safaricom’s backhaul refresh
Deal sees Safaricom expanding focus on E-band microwave for bandwidth boost. Ericsson joins Aviat Networks in declaring participation in Safaricom’s 5G-era network programme.
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Strategy & ChangeElsewhere in Vodafone Africa: Safaricom seeks partners
Safaricom looks to expand app ecosystem; Vodacom wins Cell C traffic but loses state mobile exclusivity.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: former execs take vendor CxO spots
Recent Vodafone alumni changes include a Syniverse CEO; Avanti CTO; and LogMeIn CISO. Cloud & Hosting guru Colin Barrett swaps to IoT in Ireland. Vodafone Albania commercial promotions. More Vi senior leadership changes: CFO out; regional CTO in.
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PremiumVodafone people moves: Group tech rejig spreads out
Donà and El Sayed share technology leadership at Vodafone UK. Vodafone Business builds out SoHo commercial team. Vodacom draws Paytm’s Kaul as financial services Super App emerges with its first “tenants”. YeboYethu rotates its board, with long-time Chair Bassa set to leave.
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Network & InfrastructureICASA digs heels in over spectrum auction rules
Regulator stands firm against legal action taken by MTN, Telkom. VdSA proves unlikely ally.